Thirsty Rock

Traditionally, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services have relied on two pieces of software: an application installed on the phone (client) and a server application running somewhere on the internet. Installing VoIP software such as Linphone or CSIPSimple is not a simple matter. The extra effort required to download and configure VoIP apps puts off many users and therefore slows universal adoption of voice over data services. Some software such as Zoiper automate client configuration. The much touted Over-The-Top (OTT) revolution where we all avoid classic phone services in favour of VoIP relies on a large installed base of client application e.g Viber, Skype. A compelling solution is WebRTC (Web Reat Time Communication), a standard defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Since every smart phone comes preloaded with a browser of some sort, there is future potential to connect and talk to anyone surfing the net using any device.

Mobile phone carriers have every reason to be afraid. Very afraid. WhatsApp announced its intention to enter the voice segment. With almost half a billion active users, WhatsApp boasts a subscription that is within spitting distance of Airtel, the second largest mobile network in the world. The prospect of cheap international voice calls will not go unnoticed by chat users. Operators have seen a sharp drop in text (SMS) revenues as users have shifted in droves to mobile chat applications. A similar migration to VoIP will be a deadly blow to many networks. Mobile terminated revenues will shrink. Lucrative international calls will all but disappear. WiFi originated calls will be difficult to block. Unlike skype, WhatsApp takes advantage of existing phone numbers and subscriber recruitment is almost automatic. New, affordable smart phones such as the one showcased by Firefox at the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona will allow emerging markets to skip traditional voice in favo